As a parent, there is no word you hear more than Why? Why not? Why can’t I? Why do I have to? Why does it work like that? Why? Why? Why?
While this constant questioning can be tiresome, we must never discourage it.
As we said before, much of what we take for granted as parents and people is arbitrary and poorly supported. Perhaps this is because our own impulse to question and explore was suppressed when we were young. We weren’t taught—as we’ve noted about Steve Jobs—to see that many of the world’s rules and limitations lack any real basis in logic, reason, or even morality.
When we asked “why?” we were simply told “because.” Period. No one encouraged us to challenge assumptions, question the status quo, or learn why things are the way they are.
Let’s not continue this tradition. Let’s turn over a new leaf with this generation—the one we are raising.
Society improves when we ask questions. Wrongs are only righted when subjected to scrutiny—what goes unchallenged remains safely hidden behind tradition. This applies to our own habits and practices too. When we can’t provide meaningful answers to our children’s “whys,” that reveals something about ourselves!
More importantly, if we suppress this valuable, courageous habit, what future are we creating? We want our children to make the world better. We want them to improve things. This can’t happen if they become complacent, credulous, or feel powerless to question their reality and demand answers.
“Why?” is a great question. Help them see that.
And then help them answer it…
